Former Watertown man gets prison sentence for forged checks

A former Watertown man was sentenced Friday in Jefferson County Court to up to three years in state prison for trying to possess forged checks.

George J. Lewis, 32, Barneveld, was sentenced to 1½ to 3 years in prison after an April 10 guilty plea to second-degree attempted criminal possession of a forged instrument. He had been charged in December with trying to possess a check belonging to David Donovan while knowing Mr. Donovans name had been forged on it Oct. 4 in the town of Philadelphia and with trying to possess a second forged check belonging to Mr. Donovan the same day in Watertown.

He was sentenced as a second-felony offender, having been sentenced in February 2005 in County Court to up to nine years in prison for burglary and forgery. He was released on parole in November 2011, according to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision website.

Judge Kim H. Martusewicz mandated that the sentence imposed Friday be served in the prison systems Willard Drug Treatment Program. If an inmate completes the 90-day program, he serves the remainder of his sentence under parole supervision.

In other court activity:

Joshua A. Thurston, 24, Watertown, was sentenced to a year in prison, along with two additional years of supervision upon his release, after a March 26 guilty plea to third-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance. He admitted he tried, with others, to possess cocaine with the intent to sell the drug Dec. 12 at his residence at 324 Stone St., Apt. 2. In all, five people were arrested at the residence following a raid by the Metro-Jeff Drug Task Force in which cocaine with an estimated street value of $4,500 was seized.

Carlos J.C. Moore, 23, Lethonia, Ga., was sentenced to an unspecified amount of time served at the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building and five years probation after an April 16 guilty plea to third-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance. He admitted trying to sell cocaine in May 2011 in Watertown. His probation supervision will be transferred to Georgia.

Tori K. Vick, 25, whose last known address was 661 Factory St., Apt. 2, was sentenced to time served at the PSB and five years probation after pleading guilty March 22 to second-degree assault. He admitted that on June 7, he, with others, took part in an assault on Paul E. LaDuke in the 600 block of Boyd Street. The victim suffered cuts, bruises and a broken tooth, while $150 was forcibly stolen from him.

David A. Lane, 35, of 5485 Trinity Ave., Lowville, was sentenced to three years probation and a $1,000 fine after pleading guilty March 15 to misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

He was charged with DWI in February at West End Avenue and Adelaide Street in Carthage. He also had his drivers license revoked and was ordered to install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he owns or operates.

Joshua M. Doyle, 34, whose last known address was 165 Union St., was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty March 15 to criminal obstruction of breathing. He was charged Nov. 15 with choking Ashlee F. Hubbard, Watertown, whom police said suffered pain and passed out.

Dean M. Cronk, 22, of 16633 County Route 155, was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty March 25 to second-degree criminal contempt. He admitted that on Sept. 17, he violated an order of protection held by an unidentified woman by having unwanted physical contact with her in the town of Watertown.

Corey L. Peer, 24, of 321 Winslow St., pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal contempt and was sentenced to time served at the PSB. He admitted that on April 5, 2012, he violated an order of protection held by Jessica McKinnie, Watertown, by having unwanted physical contact with her.

Harold E. Pearson Jr., 36, of 660 Huntington St., Apt. 2, pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal contempt and was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge. He admitted that on March 11, 2012, he threw an item at Mary L. Baslow and struck her in violation of an order of protection.

Ryan D. Monroe, 31, Watertown, pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and a single count of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.

He admitted that on Aug. 10 in Watertown he possessed cocaine and heroin with the intent to sell the drugs and he had scales and balances used to weigh drugs for sale.

He is expected to be sentenced June 21 to four years in prison. Judge Martusewicz will mandate he serve the sentence in the Willard program.

Sheena M. Papadopoulos, 28, of 10889 Baldwin Circle, Apt. A, Fort Drum, pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct. She admitted she had sexual contact with a 14-year-old boy between Oct. 21 and Nov. 4 in the town of LeRay.

She is expected to be sentenced July 2 to six years probation and be ordered to register with the state as a sex offender.

Jeffrey S. St. Onge, 25, of 130 Highland Ave., pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct. He admitted he had sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl Nov. 14 in Watertown. He is expected to be sentenced July 2 to six years probation and be ordered to register with the state as a sex offender.

He had been charged in a grand jury indictment handed up in November with entering the Starbuck Avenue residence of Michele R. Bowens without permission with the intent of committing a crime and punching and kicking Ms. Bowenss son, Corey R. Smith, causing a cut, bruising and pain. Sentencing was set for July 2.

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